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Cg057b02f17
JMU
To Mary; From Elkanah
Lafayette Sept. 2 1861
My dear Wife
I suppose you received my letter of last Friday. I have enjoyed myself the best since I have been here this time then on any previous occasion. I have been busy in copying my political sermon. I went up to Mcminvile Saturday & found Abby & Mrs Moore there & went up & spent the night at Mr Cornwalls. Abby rode down with me. I preached in the morning at McM had a good congregation. But I think I did not make out very well but trust I produced some good impression & pray & hope it will awaken a deeper interest in the Sabbath school. I came here after the morning service & the same sermon here to the smallest congregation I ever had in this place. There was some cause for it. A ball in the place of the evening before & most of the people were out off the twon(town). Mr Gerish preached in the morning & I suppose the people felt at liberty to go away. But I cannot find that it was because the people had any thing against me. I did feel quite discouraged. One man told me to day who was out to hear he said the thought I was a perfect example or evidence of the truth of what I preached train up a child in the way I should go & when he is old he will not depart from it. He said he did not see how it was that after spending ten years among the Indians that I should retain such elevated views as I did in my sermon. I think that impression is worth something. What I think considerable as rather discouraging is that none of Dr Henrys or Mr McBrides people were out. The Dr has received his commission & is to leave this week. I fear I shall have a hard contest if I gain any thing here. I am apprehensive that the southern Methodist will get the controlling influence here. They are making arrangement to establish a Sabbath school here. I am apprehensive that if any thing is done here we shall be compelled to set up a separat place of worship & get what we can. But after all the discouragement of yesterday I had a more comfortable nights rest then it is usual for me on Sabbath nights. Abby has concluded to close her school a week from to morrow on that account I may find it necessary to come back from Oregon City & spend the Sabbath here & take her down the next week. If I do not she will be compelled to remain up another week. But if I am to preach at Hillborrough as talked of I shall come home from the city. I will repeat though it may be too late for you to receive it if they pay me any money to send me some into Oregon City & what were there is on hand reserve it till I come home after paying Mr March tweenty five dollars. I write in anticipation of receiving a letter from you to morrow.
There has been some feeling created at Mc Minvile. The play was cut down last Saturday night. It is not known by whom but is supposed to be by some roudy boys. There is far more recessive feeling up this way then I think there is with us I am rather apprehensive that it is on the increase still I do not know & I should be unwilling to say it is so_ I have bought me a tru(n)k for three dollars & a half which is a very good one I think & will answer my purpose well. Tell the boys that I think it is best not to have any oats threshed with the thrasher. But thrash the wheatas soon as may be & have the boys dry as many apples as possible for I am satisfied it is the best use we can make of them. Maria ought to be drying her winter fruits. It is no use paying out money for that which we can save at home. There is apples enough for both families. More than this I think the apples will be worth more dried to sell then in any other way.
I feel more discouraged this morning. I know not sometimes what to do. I have had more or less of late some soar throat. It is better this morning. If you would go with me to Oregon City I would come home to morrow but this I suppose do not feel that you can do. And as you cannot go I am determined to take no other woman with me. I feel no inclination to seek the society of other women. I am less inclined now then ever.
Tell the boys to do the best they can & I will do the best with them I possibly can. They should look upon the property rather as theirs then mine for soon I shall be done with it & then it will be theirs & all they add to it will be so much for their interest. If they allow it to go to wast it will be their loss. I hope if there are any letters for me you will forward them to me. I believe I have nothing more of special importants to write.
Your husband as ever
Elkanah Walker

Cg057b02f17
JMU
To Mary; From Elkanah
Lafayette Sept. 2 1861
My dear Wife
I suppose you received my letter of last Friday. I have enjoyed myself the best since I have been here this time then on any previous occasion. I have been busy in copying my political sermon. I went up to Mcminvile Saturday & found Abby & Mrs Moore there & went up & spent the night at Mr Cornwalls. Abby rode down with me. I preached in the morning at McM had a good congregation. But I think I did not make out very well but trust I produced some good impression & pray & hope it will awaken a deeper interest in the Sabbath school. I came here after the morning service & the same sermon here to the smallest congregation I ever had in this place. There was some cause for it. A ball in the place of the evening before & most of the people were out off the twon(town). Mr Gerish preached in the morning & I suppose the people felt at liberty to go away. But I cannot find that it was because the people had any thing against me. I did feel quite discouraged. One man told me to day who was out to hear he said the thought I was a perfect example or evidence of the truth of what I preached train up a child in the way I should go & when he is old he will not depart from it. He said he did not see how it was that after spending ten years among the Indians that I should retain such elevated views as I did in my sermon. I think that impression is worth something. What I think considerable as rather discouraging is that none of Dr Henrys or Mr McBrides people were out. The Dr has received his commission & is to leave this week. I fear I shall have a hard contest if I gain any thing here. I am apprehensive that the southern Methodist will get the controlling influence here. They are making arrangement to establish a Sabbath school here. I am apprehensive that if any thing is done here we shall be compelled to set up a separat place of worship & get what we can. But after all the discouragement of yesterday I had a more comfortable nights rest then it is usual for me on Sabbath nights. Abby has concluded to close her school a week from to morrow on that account I may find it necessary to come back from Oregon City & spend the Sabbath here & take her down the next week. If I do not she will be compelled to remain up another week. But if I am to preach at Hillborrough as talked of I shall come home from the city. I will repeat though it may be too late for you to receive it if they pay me any money to send me some into Oregon City & what were there is on hand reserve it till I come home after paying Mr March tweenty five dollars. I write in anticipation of receiving a letter from you to morrow.
There has been some feeling created at Mc Minvile. The play was cut down last Saturday night. It is not known by whom but is supposed to be by some roudy boys. There is far more recessive feeling up this way then I think there is with us I am rather apprehensive that it is on the increase still I do not know & I should be unwilling to say it is so_ I have bought me a tru(n)k for three dollars & a half which is a very good one I think & will answer my purpose well. Tell the boys that I think it is best not to have any oats threshed with the thrasher. But thrash the wheatas soon as may be & have the boys dry as many apples as possible for I am satisfied it is the best use we can make of them. Maria ought to be drying her winter fruits. It is no use paying out money for that which we can save at home. There is apples enough for both families. More than this I think the apples will be worth more dried to sell then in any other way.
I feel more discouraged this morning. I know not sometimes what to do. I have had more or less of late some soar throat. It is better this morning. If you would go with me to Oregon City I would come home to morrow but this I suppose do not feel that you can do. And as you cannot go I am determined to take no other woman with me. I feel no inclination to seek the society of other women. I am less inclined now then ever.
Tell the boys to do the best they can & I will do the best with them I possibly can. They should look upon the property rather as theirs then mine for soon I shall be done with it & then it will be theirs & all they add to it will be so much for their interest. If they allow it to go to wast it will be their loss. I hope if there are any letters for me you will forward them to me. I believe I have nothing more of special importants to write.
Your husband as ever
Elkanah Walker